asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will appoint field officers to alleviate the backlog of headage reading in an area (details supplied) in County Clare.
Written Answers. - Headage Reading.
91.
As a result of measures which I took earlier this year farmers can now dispose of certain categories of cattle at marts or licensed meat export premises without losing entitlement to grants under the special beef premium scheme, the calf premium scheme or the cattle headage scheme in more severely handicapped areas. These measures combined with a satisfactory rate of progress on farm inspections should ensure that farmers do not suffer as a result of slightly later inspections than usual. The normal complement of field staff in County Clare was temporarily augmented as from 18 September.